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by Ruth O’Neil
I read the Little House on the Prairie series of books more times than I can recall as a child. One part that always got me was how Sundays were to be a day of complete rest. Even the children were to sit and do nothing, except maybe read quietly. As a child, I believe it would have made me crazy, but now I crave that rest and relaxation.
Growing up, my family didn’t do any shopping on Sunday. I remember one Sunday when I was playing with a friend and she asked if I wanted to go with her to sell candy bars for a fundraiser at her school. With nothing else to do, I agreed. We went to the few houses within walking distance. I didn’t do any talking; I just stood there.
Later on, my mom found out and she was a little upset with me. Sundays were not for buying and selling. Sundays needed to be different. A day to rest, relax, recharge, and worship. Now as an adult, I see the benefits.
The Ten Commandments even address this issue. “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it” (Exodus 20 8-11 KJV). Most of the commandments take up one verse. This one takes up four. It’s that important!
Today, I try to obey that command and make Sunday a day of rest. I make a point of not doing any writing or housework. Those are my jobs that I have six other days to accomplish.
Take your Sunday and make it a fun day. Spend time with your family. Take a walk. Go on a bike ride. Play games. Read a book out loud.
Don’t let downtime drive you insane. Take advantage of it. One day of rest with your family will benefit your relationships and make you more productive the rest of the week.
Give your Sunday back to God and allow it to be what He intended it to be.
About the Author:
Ruth O’Neil has been writing for over 20 years. She has published hundreds of articles in numerous publications. She loves to touch the emotions when she writes. “If I can make one person laugh or cry, I’ll consider myself successful.” Her first novel “Come Eat at My Table” has just come out in ebook form and can be purchased on her website. She homeschools her three children (well, one now, as two have graduated). She and her husband have been married for 20-plus years. In her spare time she enjoys quilting, crafting, and reading. You can visit her on her blog at ruths-real-life (dot)blogspot.com or her website at ruthoneil (dot)weebly.com
